HOW TO CLEAN A STAINLESS-STEEL PAN by Chef Charles Knight

HOW TO CLEAN A STAINLESS-STEEL PAN

Even though stainless-steel pans are dishwasher safe, and to make sure you are removing the residual food from the pan, it is best to clean by hand. Especially if you have pans with crevices around the rim and rivets of the handle.

NEVER leave a pan on the stove after cooking. The residual heat from your range with burn the food on and make the pan much harder to clean.

NEVER scrape out excess food and oil with a spatula. This may scratch your pans permanently and make the pan eave

Cleaning a warm pan is easier. Placing the pan in the sink and adding hot soapy water will not damage the pan. Use a degreaser detergent like Dawn Liquid.

• NOTE: Never submerge a hot pan in cold water; the sudden change in temperature can cause a hot pan to warp.

After you have enjoyed your dinner, wipeout the pan with a sponge or dishcloth. To loosen any bits of food stuck to the pan use a small amount of warm soapy water and a brush, scouring pan or stainless steel scrubby. Scrub the pan inside and pout using a circular motion. Rinse with warm water and dry with a paper towel or dishtowel.

• NOTE: Scouring pads like Brillo and SOS will not scratch the surface of the pan when soapy. If using a Stainless Steel Scrubby be sure to use it with a good amount of Dawn liquid.
• DO NOT USE an abrasive scouring pad like Scotch-Brite as it will scratch the surface of the pan making it much harder to clean in the future.

Recommended Stainless Steel Cleaners for Surface Cleaning and Polishing

• Kleen King, Bar Keeper's Friend and Steel-Glo, if you have not heard of these stainless-steel cleaners before, Bar Keeper’s Friend and Steel-Glo are powder cleansers, and Kleen King is a liquid cleanser. The active ingredient are non-toxic, natural compounds that works at a molecular level to break the bonds of food stains. Better still, it is non-abrasive, so it safe for stainless steel. Be sure to rinse immediately as with any stainless-steel cleaner if lefton the pan too long it may cause discoloration.
• To get rid of stuck-on food, discoloration, and stains from using too high a heat: Use Bar Keeper's Friend with water to form a paste. Apply paste using a soft cloth or paper towel. Rub in a circular motion from the center outward. Rinse in hot water and dry immediately.

Burned on Grease and Oil.

Some people SWEAR by oven cleaner for getting pots and pans super clean, but I recommend it only as a last-ditch resort. It is incredibly caustic stuff, which can cause fine cookware to become discolored. It should also never be used on an aluminum pan or on anything with a non-stick coating or phenolic handles, as it will completely obliterate the finish.

Do this ONLY OUTSIDE as there are fumes that will take you breath away. Place newspaper or paper bags on a flat surface. Preheat the pan over medium-low heat. When hot take it outside and place on the flat surface… spray stained area with oven cleaner. Allow it to set for 15-20 minutes. Then wash, rinse and dry.